Ryanair sharply cuts flights and routes from Berlin airport over rise in charges

Ryanair is drastically cutting its schedule at Berlin airport (BER) for winter 2022, criticizing increased airport charges in the German capital.

The low-cost carrier said it will fly 19 fewer routes and 230 fewer flights per week in the winter. That’s equivalent to 40% fewer flights than it operated from the German capital in winter 2019.

“High airport costs in Berlin make it more attractive to base aircraft at better value airports in other areas of Germany and Europe,” Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said in a statement on October 13, 2022.

O’Leary commented that other airports in Germany “understand that competitive charges are necessary to support traffic recovery” after the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s not the first time that the low-cost carrier has criticized what it deems high charges at German airports. Ryanair closed its base at Frankfurt airport (FRA) in March 2022, citing high airport charges.